1940 Gibson L-4 Vintage Pre War Archtop Acoustic Guitar 100% Original, Time Capsule-Clean w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1940 Gibson L-4 archtop acoustic guitar in 100% original, time capsule-clean condition, complete with the original "red line" hardshell case. Without a doubt the most freakishly clean golden age Gibson to ever pass through our hands, this L-4 is an immaculate, no-excuses vintage Gibson sure to delight the most discerning collectors. A Pre-War example of the L-4 that was produced in an exceedingly brief window of time, this guitar features a solid handcarved and bookmatched spruce top paired with solid maple back and sides and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard capping a one-piece mahogany neck.Numerous small touches elevate the presentation of this L-4 including a bound tortoise pickguard, metal oval buttons on the open-gear tuning machines, a more upscale "striped" nickel string anchor on the trapeze tailpiece, and diamond headstock inlay. With a 16" lower bout width and 24 3/4" scale, this L-4 offers excellent projection with a bold snap and articulate midrange push. The guitar is very dynamically responsive, with an overarching sweetness and a sparkling, woody cut on the plain strings. Weighing 4lbs 9oz, we've had this L-4 professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings, low action, and accurate intonation.The one-piece mahogany neck has a very substantial baseball bat C profile carve that fills the palm, measuring .960" deep at the 1st fret and 1.070" at the 9th. On the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, the original slender frets are flawless, and the guitar plays easily in every register up the straight neck. The nut measures a full 1 11/16" in width, and the headstock features Gibson's small script Pre-War inlay as well as flawless, gleaming nickel-plated open gear tuning machines.The body retains the original Brazilian rosewood bridge with compensated saddle, and the original neck set is ideal. The inside of the guitar is immaculate, with virtually no dust or signs of aging on any of the internal bracing, and the original F-suffix factory order number is still very bold. The original three-tone Sunburst finish is warm and glossy, accented by the bound tiger stripe tortoise pickguard. Cosmetic wear is limited to a couple microscopic nicks and faint finish scuffs in the clear coat of the gloss on the body as a whole, and very light wear on top beneath the feet of the bridge. The two-piece carved maple back also exhibits some curly flame figuring peeking through the dark Walnut gloss. The neck profile gloss is equally as smooth and pristine, virtually unplayed with zero palm wear.The original red line hardshell case with black textured exterior and purple interior is included and equally as clean as the guitar with gleaming nickel latches, leather handle, and immaculate interior.